AMIDO BALDE last night vowed to follow in the footsteps of Celtic’s great strikers and become a new hero at the Hoops.

Portuguese hitman Balde sealed his four-year deal with the SPL champions after completing his £2million move from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.

Balde knows all about the goal return of Celtic legend Henrik Larsson and former fans’ favourite and ex-Portugal international Jorge Cadete and insists he will strive to make the same impact as them at his new club.

The 22-year-old started his career at Cadete’s former club, Sporting Lisbon, and is determined to make the same mark as his fellow countryman at the Parkhead giants.

Balde said: “I’ve seen some of the famous Celtic strikers of the past play, such as the names mentioned like Cadete and Larsson.

“I know that I have a big responsibility to the club and to the players to be like them.

“I’m going to work hard and, one day, I hope to become like them.

“I know all about Cadete from Sporting Lisbon because I played at the same club growing up. He is a very big name in Portugal.”

Balde has starred for Portugal at Under-19 and Under-20 level and was part of their squad at the 2011 Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.

And he hopes his move to Celtic can help propel him into Portugal’s squad for next summer’s World Cup Finals in Brazil.

But he knows the only way he can fulfil his international dream is by starring for Celtic.

He said: “Yes, the World Cup is a real target for me. But first I need to do well with Celtic and then hopefully recognition with Portugal will happen. But first I must succeed here – and that’s what I aim to do.”

I’m going to work hard and, one day, I hope to become like them

Amido Balde

Balde arrived in Glasgow on Monday but only sealed his move to Celtic yesterday.

But he was never worried that the deal wouldn’t happen and is thrilled to have joined the SPL champions.

He said: “I’m very happy to get everything completed and finally sign.

“There was some paperwork to be done.

“It happens with big clubs that there can be some delays.”

Meanwhile, Rami Gershon admitted he had to quit Celtic to get game time.

The Israeli defender has returned to Belgium to sign a two-year deal with top-flight club Waasland-Beveren.

He joined the Hoops on loan from Standard Liege in January on a deal until the end of this season.

The SPL champions had the option of turning the deal into a permanent one, but the 24-year-old started just two league games for Neil Lennon’s side.